NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenyan police said late Wednesday "no demonstrations would be permitted" in the centre of the capital Nairobi, following deadly anti-government protests.
The country has been roiled by
initially peaceful rallies sparked by now-abandoned tax hikes, which
degenerated into violence that has left scores dead, according to a
state-funded rights group.
President William
Ruto has scrambled to calm the situation, scrapping the proposed
finance bill containing the tax increases, dismissing his cabinet, and
promising government cuts.
But the rallies -- while much
smaller than last month -- have continued across the country, with many still
calling on the Kenyan leader to resign.
"No demonstrations will
be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings
until further notice to ensure public safety," acting National Police
Chief, Douglas Kanja said in a statement late Wednesday.
The area has been the
epicentre of many of the previous marches in the city.
Ahead of the ban, some posters
were being shared online calling on protesters to gather in nearby Uhuru Park
before marching on State House on Thursday.
Wednesday's police statement
went on to say the decision had been taken after officials received
"credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take
advantage of the ongoing protests".
"Criminals have continued
to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of
disorderly and destructive conduct," it added.
The ban follows smaller
protests earlier this week that were met with a heavy police presence. In
central Nairobi officers fired tear gas at scattered groups.
The demonstrations have
spiralled into violence leaving 50 dead and 413 injured since their start on
June 18, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human
Rights on Tuesday.
Rights groups have accused
police of using disproportionate force against the protesters.
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